Toledo Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Operating Chop Shop

Toledo Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Operating Chop Shop

Nine men from northwest Ohio were sentenced to prison for their roles in a conspiracy to transport nearly $2.3 million worth of semi-trucks, trailers and cargo stolen in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, law enforcement officials said.

Sentenced this week were:

Michael Wymer, 56, of Toledo: 27 years in prison

Robert W. Debolt, Jr., 50, of Toledo: 10 years in prison

Gary J. Wymer, Sr., 61, of Rossford, Ohio: five years in prison

John Debolt, 45: five years in prison

Earl Beebe, 39: five years in prison

Terrance Wymer, 30, of Toledo: five years in prison

Gary Wymer, Jr, 29: four years in prison

Terry Wymer, 52, of Toledo: three years, six months in prison

Joe McKinney, 77: one year, eight months in prison

“This was a highly organized group that stole from people throughout the Midwest,” said Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “The scale of their predatory behavior is reflected in the sentences. The FBI, Ohio State Patrol and all the law enforcement partners involved in this investigation did a tremendous job shutting down this ring.”

“These defendants operated a truck and cargo-theft ring, stealing from Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, which resulted in a multi-million dollar losses,” said Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Northern District of Ohio. “This case was a true collaborative effort by all participating agencies, and we are committed to holding accountable those individuals who engage in this organized criminal activity.”

U.S. District Judge James Carr also ordered the defendants to pay nearly $2.3 million in restitution.

Overall, 13 people pleaded guilty for their roles in the conspiracy. Greg Rose, Diana Vannes and Shawn Wymer are scheduled to be sentenced later this month for their roles, and Anthony Wymer is scheduled to be sentenced June 1.

From at least August 2012 through February 2013, the defendants operated a chop shop located at 642 Sterling Street in Toledo, while Gary Wymer and others operated another chop shop at 2322 Consual Street in Toledo, according to court documents.

The defendants dismantled stolen semi-trucks, trailers and cargo, transport the pieces and parts of said stolen items between the two chop shops and the ultimately destroy or scrap the stolen goods. They also received stolen motor vehicles and parts with the intent to sell or dispose of them, according to court documents.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Alissa Sterling following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.